Governor to Sign Last Piece of Reform Package Tuesday

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is set to sign the last piece of the state's death penalty reform package into law. Spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff says that signing will come Tuesday.

The last remaining provision concerns police officers that are accused of perjury. The governor previously vetoed it amid concerns that police would not be assured of due process. He then reached a compromise with legislators that was approved in mid-November.

The other changes to Illinois' death penalty system took effect immediately upon passage by the House and Senate in November, overhauling a system that has led to the wrongful conviction of 17 men. They were set in motion when then-Gov. George Ryan declared a moratorium on executions after it was discovered that 13 wrongfully convicted men had been sent to death row.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.